Jaguars odds for AFC South title plunge to -900
After back-to-back blowouts, the Jaguars now lead the division by 3.5 games, forcing books to shorten their odds for the season.
By Simon Bennett ·
Betting markets for the Jacksonville Jaguars have shifted sharply in the last week. The team is now a -900 favorite to win the AFC South, a price that requires a bettor to wager $90 to net $10 in profit. That number reflects a dramatic change from the preseason, when the Jaguars opened at +245 to repeat as division champions.
The odds collapse follows two dominant victories. On Thursday, the Jaguars defeated the Baltimore Ravens 33-10 at M&T Bank Stadium. Four days earlier, they beat the Indianapolis Colts 42-7. In those two games, Jacksonville outscored its opponents 75-17. The team currently holds a 6-2 record and owns the best point differential in the NFL at +108.
The division standings show why the books adjusted their numbers. The Jaguars lead the Houston Texans by 3.5 games. Houston, which opened as the +110 favorite to win the division, sits at 2-5. The Indianapolis Colts are 2-6 after four straight losses. The Texans are the only team that has beaten Jacksonville this season, winning 34-31 in London during Week 6.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been the focal point of the offense. He finished the season start with 18 touchdown passes and four interceptions. His odds for the MVP award sit at +650, placing him third in the league. That price implies a 13.3% probability of winning the award. He is behind Josh Allen, who is +140, and Joe Burrow, who is +425.
The Jaguars also moved from 17th to fourth in Super Bowl futures odds. They now stand at +900, behind Buffalo, San Francisco, and Chicago. The team allowed just 17 points in its last two games. However, defensive end Travon Walker played through a rib injury, and safety Eric Murray is out for the year. The run defense must adjust after losing DaVon Hamilton to a torn quadriceps.
The schedule ahead includes tough tests for the Jaguars. They travel to Chicago on December 6, host Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football on December 14, and visit Dallas on December 27. The divisional rematch against Houston is set for December 20. If Jacksonville wins its next two games, it will reach a 9-2 record.
The betting lines suggest the AFC South race is nearly settled. For the Jaguars to lose the division, Houston would need to win almost every remaining game while Jacksonville suffered a collapse. The current odds reflect the team's current standing and performance rather than past reputations.
